Newsletter Archive

It is that time of year again! The Holidays are coming. So, why not serve a festive punch?  Your guests will be pleased… as punch! My secret “Holden Punch” has become a traditional libation that our guests have now come to expect at Fox Hall and Fox Worth… and they are rawwwther disappointed if it does not greet them! In addition to having a bar, I find it easy to offer a punch versus a signature cocktail because the punch is prepared in advance, and voila, guests can also help themselves! Where did “punch” initially come from? British sailors brought it back to Europe from their travels to the colonies in India during the 16th century. Nutmeg was the most valuable product imported from there, and it was also the spice used in punch.  Because of that, punch became fashionable for aristocrats and the elite in Europe, and eventually in

Soft lighting is an essential aspect of entertaining because it enhances your guests’ visual experience by creating a dreamy, mystical, and almost magical ambiance to interiors. Candlelight and soft dimmed light impart an enchanting mood that your guests will experience in the evening. The artwork, food, and decorative details suddenly transform from the expected normal bright daylight (which creates harsh shadows) into a more captivating and romantic encounter. Everything and everyone looks more attractive with soft, diffused lighting! When renovating or building a house, remember that you can never have too many dimmers installed. Use them to your advantage! For lamps, install forty to sixty-watt soft light bulbs in lamps, or have a three-way switch to lower the bulb’s light. Soft pink bulbs in lamps offer exceptional light to anyone seated nearby- an entertaining secret that ladies adore! At dusk, my chandelier lights are a wee bit brighter than when it

Setting a table and choosing a unique centerpiece is similar to choosing the right invitation design: it sets the scene for a memorable party. Sometimes, I stop and look at a particular piece in Fox Hall or Palm Beach, which will then spark an idea for a theme for a dinner party. A sculpture, a piece of porcelain, or a unique decorative accessory, and I’m off to the races! The centerpiece is the focal point on a dining room table.  Flowers certainly are a traditional choice, but it can be rewarding to think out of the box to decorate your table with one pretty piece or several unique objects from around your house. The table can become a miniature stage; let your creativity soar. I am such an advocate for “repurposing” beautiful objects that you already own! When you collect art that speaks to your heart, your pieces tell a

There is something magical about attending a White tie Ball!  An elegant, festive aura surrounds a ballroom when graced with ladies in sumptuous long gowns, sparkling with jewelry and handsome gentlemen, dapper in tails; an image that reflects a gracious, romantically genteel time. With the upcoming “Paradise Ball” celebrating the Salvation Army of Palm Beach County’s centennial, several young gentlemen have contacted me and inquired about the correct aspects required for a White tie dress code. Here we go! A White tie dress code has been the most traditional “formal” attire since the 1800’s. It is also cited as “full evening dress” and informally referred to as “tails.” A proper White tie ensemble includes the following: A black tailcoat (with tails) and matching trousers A waistcoat (vest) in white cotton pique A white shirt with a white pique bib front White suspenders Studs with matching cufflinks A white pique hand-tied

With the upcoming Salvation Army of Palm Beach County’s “Paradise Ball”approaching, we will be designing a menu card. After the food and wine tasting have taken place, we can then choose what the menu will be on the menu cards. Having a menu card for an event elevates the occasion and honors the celebration. A menu card enables guests to know what courses to expect, which also allows them to know what will be served and to avoid potential food allergies. A menu card can become a keepsake for guests to take home, which is a good reason to indicate the date and occasion on the card.  It can also commemorate a guest of honor. Menu cards are printed vertically and are approximately 5″ x 8″ in size (give or take an inch in each direction).  My menu cards are a custom-made, 120-pound stock white paper with an image of

The name “Scalamandre” conjures visions of interior design elegance.  When I started my interior design business in 1989, the one trade account I could not wait to open was with the world-renowned House of Scalamandre!  Besides their magnificent handmade French trims (dreamy) and their stunning fabrics and wallpapers (timelessly exquisite), it was their selection of exceptional silks that gave me visions of sugarplums and continues to inspire me to create sumptuous curtains, “palace-worthy” wall upholstered rooms, and the regal decorative details that serve to enhance and complement inviting interiors, the rooms you never want to leave. With that said, come, see and experience the enchanting House of Scalamandre showroom for yourself! You are cordially invited by Scalamandre to join me in NYC this Wednesday, October 12th, at noon, at the D&D (Decoration and Design) building, in their Scalamandre Showroom!  They are graciously hosting a lovely Pink Party reception, with yummy